💰 This page covers the street-level details of spending money in Fez: card acceptance by neighborhood, where to find ATMs, how to pay for taxis and guides, and what to carry for medina visits and tannery tours. For Morocco-wide ATM tips, tipping norms, and exchange rate advice:
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Order MAD → CEI Currency ExchangeDo You Need Cash in Fez?
Yes, more so than any other major Moroccan city. Fez is Morocco's most cash-dependent destination. The medieval medina, Fes el-Bali (a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the world's largest car-free urban area), is almost entirely cash-only. Shops, restaurants, guides, and tannery tips all require Moroccan dirhams. Only upscale riads, Ville Nouvelle restaurants, and hotels accept cards. Carry MAD 300–500 when heading into the medina.
Where You Will Need Cash
Fes el-Bali medina shops, restaurants, and cafes. Tannery terrace tips (MAD 10–20). Official guides (MAD 300–400 half day). Bou Inania Madrasa (MAD 30 entry). Petit taxis (metered, cash only). Street food vendors (msemen, fresh juice, snail soup). Leather goods (MAD 100–2000, haggle hard). Tips at restaurants and for services.
Where Cards Work Fine
Upscale riads with modern payment systems. Ville Nouvelle restaurants and cafes along Avenue Hassan II. Hotels at all levels. Supermarkets (Marjane, Carrefour). Train tickets (card at stations or oncf.ma). Card acceptance outside the Ville Nouvelle is rare, so plan accordingly.
Paying by Card in Fez
Card acceptance in Fez is the lowest of Morocco's major tourist cities. Visa and Mastercard work at modern hotels and Ville Nouvelle establishments. Amex has very limited acceptance (international hotels only). Contactless payments are uncommon. The medina is a cash economy with no exceptions. Even some riads inside the medina prefer cash for extras like meals and drinks. Fez is cheaper than Marrakech for similar experiences, but you will need more cash on hand.
Fes el-Bali (Old Medina)
The heart of Fez and the reason most people visit. Over 9,000 alleyways wind through this medieval city-within-a-city. Shops selling leather, ceramics, brass, and textiles are cash-only. Restaurants serving tajine (MAD 30–60) and mint tea (MAD 5–10) take cash only. Tanneries require tips. Madrasas charge cash entry fees. Hire an official guide (MAD 300–400 half day, cash) to navigate the labyrinth. Budget MAD 300–500 per visit.
Ville Nouvelle (New City)
The French-built modern district is Fez's most card-friendly area. Restaurants along Avenue Hassan II accept cards at mid-range and above. Cafes are mixed, with smaller ones preferring cash. Hotels accept cards. Banks and ATMs line the main avenues. The train station is here (cards accepted for tickets). A good base for those who want modern comforts with easy medina access by petit taxi (MAD 10–15).
Fes el-Jdid (New Fez)
The 13th-century "new" city built by the Marinid dynasty. Home to the Royal Palace (exterior only, free to view), the Mellah (historic Jewish quarter), and the Ibn Danan Synagogue (MAD 10, cash). Shops and restaurants here are cash-only. Less touristy and more affordable than Fes el-Bali. The Jnan Sbil Gardens (free) are a peaceful break. Bring MAD 100–150.
Borj Nord & Merenid Tombs
The hilltop area north of the medina offers panoramic views. The Borj Nord arms museum (MAD 20, cash) and the Merenid Tombs (free, open access) are the main draws. Sunset views over the medina are spectacular. Petit taxi from the medina gates costs MAD 15–20 (cash). A few cafes near the viewpoints accept cash only. Bring MAD 50–100 for entry fees, taxi, and refreshments.
ATMs in Fez
For Morocco-wide ATM advice, see the Morocco guide.
Look for these logos. Moroccan bank ATMs accept foreign Visa and Mastercard.
Attijariwafa
BMCE
Banque PopulaireATM Locations
Bab Bou Jeloud: ATMs near the main medina gate, the most convenient for tourists entering Fes el-Bali. Avenue Hassan II (Ville Nouvelle): Multiple bank ATMs along the main commercial street. Place R'cif: ATMs near this busy medina junction. Fez train station: ATMs near the entrance. ATMs dispense MAD 100 and MAD 200 notes. Withdraw before entering the medina, as ATMs inside are scarce and unreliable.
⚠ Withdraw Before Entering the Medina
ATMs inside Fes el-Bali are extremely rare. The few that exist are often out of cash or out of service. Always withdraw from ATMs at Bab Bou Jeloud, Bab R'cif, or in the Ville Nouvelle before heading into the medina. Exchange offices near the medina gates offer decent rates. Always decline DCC at ATMs.
Paying for Taxis, Guides & Transport
Petit Taxis
Fez's red petit taxis are metered and cash only. Most rides between the Ville Nouvelle and medina gates cost MAD 10–20. From the train station to Bab Bou Jeloud: MAD 15–20. To Borj Nord viewpoint: MAD 15–20. There is no tram in Fez, so taxis are the main transport between neighborhoods. Insist the driver uses the meter. Keep MAD 10 and MAD 20 notes for fares.
Official Guides
Hiring an official guide is strongly recommended for your first visit to Fes el-Bali. The medina is a genuine labyrinth where GPS is unreliable. Half-day guides cost MAD 300–400 (cash). Full-day guides cost MAD 500–700. Book through your riad or at the tourist office near Bab Bou Jeloud. Unofficial guides approach at every medina gate but are less reliable and may steer you to shops where they earn commission.
Trains
ONCF trains from Fez station connect to Casablanca (3.5 hours, MAD 150–200), Marrakech (7 hours, MAD 200–300), Meknes (45 minutes, MAD 25), Rabat (2.5 hours, MAD 100–150), and Tangier (4 hours, MAD 150–200). Cards accepted at station ticket windows and online at oncf.ma. The train from Casablanca is the most common arrival route.
Grand Taxis
Shared grand taxis depart from stations near Bab Bou Jeloud and the Ville Nouvelle. Meknes: MAD 25–30 per person (shared, 45 minutes). Volubilis: MAD 40–50 per person or MAD 250–300 for a private round trip with waiting time. Ifrane: MAD 30–40 per person (shared, 1.5 hours). All grand taxis are cash only. Agree on the price before departing.
Tipping in Fez
The Morocco guide covers general norms. In Fez: Restaurants: 10% is appreciated (rarely included). Cafes: round up or leave MAD 2–5. Taxi drivers: round up to the nearest MAD 5. Riad staff: MAD 20–50 per day for housekeeping. Official guides: MAD 50–100 on top of the fee. Tannery terrace shops: MAD 10–20 if you only view and do not buy. Always tip in cash.
Prices in Fez
Fez is cheaper than Marrakech for similar experiences. The medina has more honest starting prices and less aggressive haggling. Street food and local restaurants are very affordable. Riads in Fez offer better value than their Marrakech equivalents.
| Item | Price (MAD) | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Mint tea | MAD 5–10 | $0.50–1 |
| Fresh orange juice | MAD 5–8 | $0.50–0.80 |
| Tajine at a local restaurant | MAD 30–60 | $3–6 |
| Coffee (cafe) | MAD 8–15 | $0.80–1.50 |
| Lunch (mid-range) | MAD 60–120 | $6–12 |
| Leather bag (haggled) | MAD 100–500 | $10–50 |
| Petit taxi across town | MAD 10–20 | $1–2 |
| Official guide (half day) | MAD 300–400 | $30–40 |
| Bou Inania Madrasa | MAD 30 | $3 |
| Train to Meknes | MAD 25 | $2.50 |
| Train to Casablanca | MAD 150–200 | $15–20 |
| Riad (per night) | MAD 300–800 | $30–80 |
USD estimates based on approximately MAD 10 = $1. Rates fluctuate.
Day Trips from Fez
Meknes (45 minutes by train)
The smallest of Morocco's four imperial cities. Train costs MAD 25 (card at station). The Bab Mansour gate (free) is one of Morocco's most photographed monuments. The Heri es-Souani granaries (MAD 10, cash) and Moulay Ismail Mausoleum (free, one of few religious sites open to non-Muslims) are the highlights. Meknes is very cash-dependent. Bring MAD 100–150.
Volubilis Roman Ruins (1 hour by grand taxi)
Morocco's best-preserved Roman archaeological site (UNESCO World Heritage). Grand taxi from Fez costs MAD 250–300 for a private round trip with waiting time. Entry is MAD 70 (cash). The mosaics and triumphal arch are impressive. Often combined with a Meknes visit in a single day trip. Bring MAD 100 in cash plus taxi fare.
Ifrane (1.5 hours by grand taxi)
Known as "Morocco's Switzerland" for its alpine architecture and cedar forests. Grand taxi costs MAD 30–40 per person (shared). The town has a European feel with clean streets and manicured gardens. The Ifrane National Park and Azrou Cedar Forest (home to Barbary macaques) are nearby. Restaurants in town are mostly cash. Bring MAD 100–150.
Fez Quick Reference
| Destination | Cards? | Cash Needed? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fes el-Bali (medina) | ❌ Cash only | MAD 300–500 | Shops, food, guides, tips |
| Tanneries | ❌ Cash only | MAD 10–20 tip | Free to view, tip expected |
| Ville Nouvelle | ✅ Mixed | MAD 100–200 | Restaurants take cards |
| Bou Inania Madrasa | ❌ Cash only | MAD 30 | Entry fee, cash |
| Petit taxi | ❌ Cash only | MAD 10–20 | Insist on meter |
| Official guide | ❌ Cash only | MAD 300–400 | Half day, book via riad |
| Meknes day trip | ✅ Train by card | MAD 100–150 | MAD 25 train, cash in town |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need cash in Fez?
Absolutely. Fez is Morocco's most cash-dependent major city. The medina (Fes el-Bali) is almost entirely cash-only. Only upscale riads and Ville Nouvelle restaurants accept cards. Carry MAD 300–500 when exploring the medina.
How much should I budget for medina shopping?
Leather goods range from MAD 100–2000 depending on quality and haggling. Ceramics cost MAD 50–300. Spices run MAD 20–100 per bag. Start at 40–50% of the asking price. Fez has more honest prices than Marrakech, but bargaining is still expected.
How much does visiting the tanneries cost?
Viewing the Chouara Tannery from terrace shops is free, but you are expected to buy leather or tip MAD 10–20. A sprig of mint is offered to mask the smell. Best visited in the morning when workers are dyeing leather.
Should I hire a guide in the Fez medina?
Yes, especially on your first visit. Fes el-Bali has over 9,000 alleyways where GPS is unreliable. Official guides cost MAD 300–400 for a half day (cash). Book through your riad or at the tourist office near Bab Bou Jeloud.
How do I get around Fez?
Walking is the only option inside the medina. Between neighborhoods, use petit taxis (red, metered, cash only, MAD 10–20). There is no tram in Fez. Grand taxis go to nearby cities like Meknes and Volubilis.
Is Fez cheaper than Marrakech?
Yes. Riads cost 20–30% less. Food is cheaper (tajine MAD 30–60 vs MAD 50–80 in tourist areas of Marrakech). Leather goods are better priced at the source. Fewer tourists means less haggling pressure and more reasonable starting prices.
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